A red flag warning for high fire danger will continue till early Wednesday for the hills in Marin and Sonoma counties above 1,000 feet due to gusty winds and low humidity, officials said.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has increased staffing in the area, including placing extra personnel on duty, staffing reserve fire engines as well as bulldozers 24 hours a day. Winds are drying out the grass and brush leading to a higher fire danger level.

Fire officials are asking the public to be cautious during the red flag warning. They say people should take simple steps such as avoiding mowing or using a weed eater on dead grass, not pulling a car into tall dead grass and being careful with any open flames outdoors. For more safety tips, visit www.fire.ca.gov

Meanwhile, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued the 10th Spare the Air smog alert for 2010 as air quality is forecast to be unhealthy Wednesday. There is no free transit. The air district encourages residents to drive less and reduce their energy use.

“Unhealthy air quality is forecast due to hot October temperatures combined with exhaust from vehicles on Bay Area roads,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the district. “This late-season smog alert is a wake-up call that we must rethink driving alone and reduce vehicle trips in order to protect our health and improve air quality.”